| Content | Bohuslav Martinů wrote to Universal Edition, Vienna, saying that he would have some manuscripts available and would like to design for them a CONCERTO DA CAMERA FOR HOUSEL AND SMITH ORCHESTRA WITH CLAVIER AND PERcussion INSTRUMENTS. It is one of the compositions commissioned by Paul Sacher and performed with great success in Basel. He likes it better than many of his other late compositions, and is sure that they will like it too. It is about 20 minutes long, with a brilliant solo part. He knows that they prefer more orchestral pieces, but he is tied to Boosey & Hawkes. When he writes a new piece, he has to show it to B&H first. But CONCERTO already has it back because they didn't print it on time according to the contract. It will be in New York until May 1 and then it will go to Europe. In June he will be at the Brussels Festival. He hopes to be able to come to Matrei, it's a place he likes very much. |
| Transcription of the letter | March 21 - 53
Dear Mr. Schlee:
I write you that I would have some manuscript at my disposition and I think I would like to propose you a Concerto da Camera for violin solo with string orch. and piano. It is one of compositions commissioned by P. Sacher and was performed in Basel with a big success. I still like it more than many of my later compositions, and I am sure you will like it too. It is about 20 minutes, with the brilliant solo part. I know you would prefer an orchestral piece, but I couldn’t get so far from my contract with Boosey & Hawkes, if I write a new piece I have to show it first to B&H and they would certainly take it. And I do not have any time for it now. But the Concerto is good and I got it back from B&H, because they didn’t printed it in time after the contract and in the meantime they have a new score, specially in the opera-field. Let me know what do you think about it. I will be in N.Y. until May 1 and after that date I am coming to Europe. I am in the Jury for the Festival in Bruzelles. I hope I could come back to Matrei that’s the place which appeal to me so much. And I hope to see you too.
With my best regards
B. Martinu
|